Surprise Care Package from Gag's

[luds]

Originally Posted by Jerkinthedark

Luds; Your theory is interesting in the sense that you admit to "horsing" fish in an effort to land possibly a larger one next, yet, you don't take into consideration that some of the fish lost due to this approach, may be the ones your looking for. You definitely need to match your tackle to your approach, but you can't consider anything that doesn't meet your application, inferior. As I said earlier, I have yet to have any issues with the Mustad Ultra- Point so I have no reason to doubt it.

The bigger fish get a little more love and attention. You can comment however you like on my inadequate approach to fishing but the fact is better tackle gives you the ability to make more mistakes. That was the point. IMO If you hook your dream fish with that hook you deserve to lose it. What happens when you have a super cow in a rip and it's just taking line and you need to stop it. Have fun stopping it with that POS hook. You might say that doesn't meet the application but I don't want to have to differentiate when I can and can't bring the sh%tty hooks. I'd like to think I can count on them in just about any instance.

[Jerkinthedark]

Your point is well taken.At no point did I refer to your technique as inferior, it is simply a different approach than I and many others use. The simple fact is that in certain applications, heavier tackle is needed, but that does not make that hook a POS! I have landed fish that even you might be proud of on plugs that were basically designed for large freshwater fish, but certainly not in a boiling rip. The fact is without them, you could not buy a hit.I agree with what you say, I simply don't spend the majority of my fishing time in conditions that warrant heavier tackle. When I do, I use the appropriate tackle. It was not intended as a personal attack, merely a difference of approach.

[fishonnelsons]

An "oldtimer" once told me "there is nothing new, it's always just a tweak here or there on an old, original lure". After looking at all the lures out there, and at all the lures in tackle shop distributor books, and tackle shows, I have to agree.

Don't get me wrong, a slight modification can make a big difference in the fish catching ability of a lure, and the strength of the hardware in it can be the difference between an "oh %^$#" and a monster keeper.

My issue, at times, is that some people try to be all things.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and experimentation is good for everything. But if you make custom wood, that seems to be your area of expertise and be the best there. Why try to do some rubber, or metal, what's next - rods? Alan and RonZ, I believe, are constantly trying to better their rubber. Steve from AOK metal and Joe from Pt Jude stick to the metal 95%.

Unless the new stuff from a new guy in the category is a MAJOR difference than what is out there already, I am less apt to buy it or stock it. Just because the package has someone's name on it doesn't mean it will be as good as what's out there.

BUT, AGAIN, experimentation is good for everything, and maybe twiddling in another area will result in a new breakthrough, who knows?

[JohnR]

JITD, what is your affiliation with AL?

Thanks,

John